Pesticide & Sprayers

Pest Control Chemicals for a pest free home

Pest control chemicals are used to control and prevent a pest invasion in your home and garden. They can be used against weeds, insects, plant diseases, germs, and rodents. Depending on the problem you are facing, there are a range of products available, and you would need to study the instructions carefully!

 

A pest invasion in your home can create a level of discomfort. Since pesticides normally contains chemicals that can be toxic to humans, animals, and the environment, it’s therefore very important that when using them, you take the necessary safety precautions to not do any harm.

 

What is a pesticide?

A normal misconception is that a pesticide is a bug killer, which is only partly true. Insect control is only one usage for pest control chemicals and the wide usage is for preventing, repelling, destroying, or diminishing any pest. 

 

There are selective pesticides that deals with one specific problem, and you also have non-selective, which kills anything with a pesticide sprayer when it contacts, like some insecticides and herbicides.

The different families of pesticides are:

 

• Insecticides for combating insects, 
   
• Herbicides for killing weeds, 
   
• Rodenticides for killing rat and mice, 
   
• germicides used in disinfectants to kill germs, 
   
• algicides for combating algae’s
   
• mildewcides for killing mold and bacteria.
   
• fungicides, miticides, larvicides and other similar products.

 

How to use a pesticide

When buying your pest control chemicals, you need to know which pest you are facing. Is it a mold infestation on your plant or is the damage from insects? 

 

You also need to determine how widespread the damage is, is it just a few leaves on the plant that is affected or is it the entire plant? To avoid harming beneficial animals like bees and other pollinators, try using pesticides with a low toxicity level and do spot treatment where it’s needed. 

 

And consider the realistic use of pesticides, can it be expected to have the property completely pest free or will the chemicals be more harmful in the long term than the pests themselves? There are other non-chemical pest control measures that can be used if you want to avoid using chemicals. 

 

The pesticides work in two ways, you have systemic toxins that it meant to be ingested by the pest and that works from the inside out and the topical toxins that works from the outside in, meaning the pest needs to encounter the toxin. 

 

Reading the label and instructions

 

Make sure to read the label before buying the product, to ensure that it’s indeed the correct product for the pest you are experiencing and read it once more before using to ensure correct usage and safety measures. 

 

And always follow the manufactures instructions and read the safety instructions to know how to deal with a toxic exposure before an accident could happen. The toxicity of the product is normally mentioned based on three levels:

 

Caution: The pesticide is slightly toxic

 

Warning: moderately toxic.

 

Danger: the pesticide is very toxic and is to be used with extreme care.

 

Depending on the level of toxicity, the appropriate protective gear should be used while applying the chemicals. Wearing protective gloves and glasses can be as easy way of protecting yourself. If by any chance you are exposed to the chemicals, make sure to follow the first aid instructions and straight after contact a doctor or emergency room for further treatment.

 

How to store pesticides

As pesticides includes toxins that can be harmful to humans and animals, you should store all your pest chemicals out of reach for children or pets.  You should also store them in their original packaging with the label intact for best possible safety and to avoid possible leakage and deterioration of the product. Make sure the package is sealed properly after usage do avoid any residue to sipper out and contaminate the area of storage.

 

How to minimize environmental contamination

As pesticides contains toxins that can be harmful to the environment and animals, it’s wise to avoid widespread application throughout your garden or home and instead to spot treat where needed. 

 

As particles can easily be carried with the wind, make sure you spray or apply your pesticides when the conditions are favorable, so the toxins are not moved off target.

 

Also, do your best to not having the toxins contaminating any of the surrounding water supplies, make sure to follow the set guidelines on the packaging and do your outmost to protect the environment and animals living in your surroundings.